IN the latest episode in the Dome fiasco, we see Charlie (Lord) Falconer declaring that giving this monstrosity away to a firm of property developers is the "best value for money outcome". New Labour thinking at its best.

Has anyone spotted the true net effect of this wonderful example of "Alice in Wonderland" economics. During the period of time the Dome was open for business, and since its closure, the sum of in excess of £1bn of mostly Lottery money has been pumped into this monument to vanity and political correctness.

The deal is now apparently that the new owner will share any profits over the next 25 years with the Government.

That is the key. Profits, if any, will go to the Treasury and not return to the Lottery good causes fund from whence it came.

Effectively, we have witnessed a £1bn robbery of public money, in effect yet another form of stealth tax. - Dave Pascoe, Press Officer, Teesside Branch, UK Independence Party.

COMPASSION

JEAN Lazenby (HAS, June 1) appears to think we are becoming a society of grab for yourself and couldn't care less for those worse off.

She is mistaken. There is not another nation in the world who would tolerate the sacrifices the British make, and to suggest we are becoming a greedy lot is an insult.

There are so many charities now that the problem is one of excess. I do not believe we are giving less, we are giving more. The fact is there are far too many charity organisations.

It is time charities were organised better, so that we don't have to pass collection boxes every day and are expected to put something in every one and think ourselves lucky for doing so. - J Young, Crook.

SOUTH PARK

I HAVE read Councillor Williams' letter in the Town Crier and I do appreciate his love for Darlington's South Park.

I have donated cash to various things that have been destroyed by worthless vandals over the years and which have cost ratepayers thousands and thousands of pounds.

Now I would like Councillor Williams to tell the people of Darlington why were these people never prosecuted?

I do suggest that as leader and protector of our parks and other things, such as schools, cemeteries, houses, that he should take action in future to prosecute anyone found damaging council property of any type.

I will honestly state that the people in this town do not realise what it has cost the public through thefts and wanton vandalism.

So I hope that we will see our once lovely park, the pride of the town, restored to its former glory.

There should be police warden patrols around South Park to help stop the vandals. Otherwise any money spent on restoration will be wasted. - F Wealands, Darlington.

LITTER

I HAVE been on a bike ride with my Nana and I was disgusted at the amount of litter there was on the ground, grass and in the hedges.

Could you please try to persuade people to take their litter home or use the bins. - Jenny Louise Richmond, aged seven, Hurworth.

LIVERPOOL AIRPORT

I RECENTLY used Liverpool Airport, and was flabbergasted to see that it has been renamed John Lennon - one quarter of the most over-rated 1960s pop group.

This is the same John Lennon who returned his MBE to Buckingham Palace, financially backed the ill-fated Hanratty is Innocent campaign and spent most of the 1970s condoning the drug culture with his hippy counterparts.

Although the town has nothing to look back on with any pride, surely a golden opportunity was missed to name it after one of its living legends, Cilla Black, still entertaining us all, or Jimmy Tarbuck with his ready wit and tireless charity work. - Joe Welthorpe, Middlesbrough.

CHILDLINE CHARITY

TO mark Volunteers' Week, I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of all the children and young people who are given advice, comfort and support by Childline Yorkshire and North-East, to say a big thank you to all our volunteers for their generous enthusiasm and unyielding commitment.

Since we opened our lines five years ago, the compassionate, hard work of all our volunteers has been exceptional.

This year we are celebrating our fifth birthday - five years of being there for vulnerable children and young people in Yorkshire and the North-East who feel they have nowhere else to turn. It is the dedication and commitment of volunteers that will help Childline Yorkshire and North-East to be there for children and young people in danger or distress over the next five years.

Whatever the role of our volunteers - be it in administration, counselling or fundraising - the value of their contribution to the vital work of Childline Yorkshire and North-East cannot be over estimated. - Norman Titus, Director, Childline, Yorkshire and North-East.